NAHL coaches meetings in Dallas a success

June 26, 2018

The NAHL head coaches meetings took place on Thursday, June 21st and Friday, June 22nd in Dallas, Texas and the feedback from all involved was very positive.

 

The meetings are annually held prior to the start of the regular season and are designed to bring all 24 of the league’s head coaches together to discuss league matters and bring up everyone up to speed and rules, player safety initiatives, partnerships, protocol and procedures.

 

This year featured a different set-up than in years past as the summer meetings were held in June rather than August. That is because the meetings will be centered around the 2018 NHL Draft, which all the coaches attended on Friday, June 22nd during the opening round.

 

Also as part of the meetings, all the NAHL coaches attended the NHL Coaches' Association Global Coaches’ Clinic on Thursday, June 21st, which are held annually by the NHL Coaches’ Association in conjunction with the NHL Draft. The event provided education to more than 400 youth, amateur, junior, college and professional coaches through a variety of presentations and small-group sessions conducted by NHL coaches.

 

“The feedback we received from all the coaches was very positive. I believe that holding the meetings during the NHL Draft and making our coaches a part of the NHL Coaches' Association Global Coaches’ Clinic really provided everyone with an enhanced experience,” said NAHL Commissioner and President Mark Frankenfeld. “Our coaches are one of the big reasons behind our success of the development and advancement of players, so getting them together in a setting like the one we had this past weekend is beneficial to everyone and goes a long way in their continued education and evolution as coaches.”

 

All of the NAHL coaches in attendance agreed.

 

“We are always trying to learn and improve as coaches, so the meetings we all about doing that and incredibly beneficial. We can never stop evolving as coaches and trying to become better for our players. We got some great ideas and you take things away from every one of the presentations and hope to implement that with your team,” said Janesville Jets head coach Gary Shuchuk. 

 

“Anytime you can get out and be a part of a symposium that involves close to 400 coaches from all different walks of life, it is an extremely beneficial thing for everyone. It is very unique, because there are so many ideas being shared. It was a fantastic experience and a big step for our league to involve all of their head coaches as a part of the process,” said Aberdeen Wings head coach Scott Langer.

 

“I think it speaks volumes about the North American Hockey League and our owners and is what separates us and puts us a step above everyone else. The league and our owners made an investment to include us in the NHL coaches meetings and be a part of the Draft and that type of experience and opportunity is invaluable. I was really proud to be there and the interaction and networking was second-to-none and it tells the hockey world how serious we are about the development of our players,” said New Jersey Titans head coach Craig Doremus.

 

The meetings on Friday, June 22nd began with a greeting and discussion from NAHL Commissioner and President Mark Frankenfeld, the continued with discussions on officiating and player safety from NAHL Director of Officiating, Keith Kaval, and Director of the Department of Player Safety, Marc Faucette.

 

Later, the group heard from Director of Communications Alex Kyrias, followed by Director of Player Personnel Tony Zasowski, and then Director of Hockey Administration, Blake MacNicol.

 

Vice-President of Hockey Operations Denny Scanlon then went into the relationship with NHL Central Scouting and the season timeline for NHL prospects playing in the NAHL. 15 NAHL players have been drafted into the NHL the past four seasons.

 

The meetings wrapped up with more discussion on player movement and rules and regulations.

 

The day was capped off by all the coaches attending the 1st round of the 2018 NHL Draft at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.

 

The NAHL head coaches will meet again in February of 2019 in Plymouth, Michigan during the NAHL Top Prospects Tournament.